Young guns run rampant for Rangers

The youth movement in Gorey is showing signs of blossoming into something special as they celebrated the first adult league title for the club since 2004 with the clinching of the Wexford Soccer Division 2A title recently.

Of the side that took the honours, seven of them were part of the Premier Division-winning youth team this season. Sometimes the inexperience can be a burden, and even a disadvantage, but Rangers won the title the hard way and that grows character.

Having a team so young brings its own problems. With most being under 18, few were capable of driving. It was often left to mothers and fathers to manoeuvre a grateful load of football hopefuls around the county. It's a sacrifice that didn't go unnoticed within the club.

Through 20 league games the champions were locked in a tussle with Moyne Rangers 'B'. The Enniscorthy side had the psychological edge, having been dominated in both league fixtures between the sides only to still take victory.

With two games to go they also held a narrow two-point mathematical edge until a draw against New Ross Celtic opened the door for Rangers. In the end a play-off was needed to split the contenders, the only one this season in the Wexford Soccer Leagues.

Star man for Gorey all season was emerging striker talent Ross Moore. Because he played for ten minutes as a substitute for the first team in the cup, he was ineligible to face off against Moyne and things looked bad for his side when they fell behind.

The Gorey men are made of disciplined - they didn't have a suspension all season - and sturdy stuff though and hit back through Eric Quinn to force extra-time. The same man was on target in the added period to set off wild celebrations after a gruelling 120 minutes.

While Moyne had to console themselves with a place in Division 2 next season, the news wasn't as good for Rathnure and Ferns 'B' who both finished in the relegation spots and will be competing in Division 3 in the 2015-'16 season.